Nested Coaxial Power Combiner for Broadband Signal-to-Noise Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactive-type broadband microwave dividers and combiners are complex and expensive to fabricate, particularly for high-power applications, and they poorly combine thermal noise signals due to uncorrelated phase, frequency, and amplitude differences across ports.
Innovation Solution
A 10-way reactive power divider/combiner design with a stepped main center conductor and nested unit element conductors, featuring coaxial transmission lines and a unit element shorted shunt stub, optimized for bandwidth from 0.65 to 2.95 GHz, which reduces length and improves signal-to-noise ratio by efficiently combining signals with equal frequency, amplitude, and phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-stage MTL power divider modules are used, then broadband operation is achieved, but device complexity and fabrication cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested coaxial conductors where inner conductors are placed within outer conductors, creating multiple transmission lines in a compact concentric arrangement. This nesting approach achieves broadband operation through multiple resonant frequencies while maintaining a simple single-stage structure, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage MTL modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar or linear arrangements to a three-dimensional nested coaxial configuration. By utilizing the radial dimension and creating concentric transmission lines, the design achieves broadband performance through multiple resonant modes without increasing overall structural complexity or requiring multiple stages.
2Reliability
If reactive-type combiners are used for high-power applications, then mechanical and electrical ruggedness is improved, but thermal noise signals are poorly combined due to uncorrelated phase, frequency, and amplitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electrical characteristics to different ports: signal ports are designed with matched impedance for efficient power combination, while noise ports are designed with mismatched impedance to reject thermal noise. This local differentiation allows the same reactive combiner structure to efficiently combine signals while rejecting noise, resolving the contradiction between ruggedness and noise performance.
3Power
If broadband amplifiers are used to amplify weak signals, then signal amplitude is improved, but overall noise figure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of thermal noise generated by broadband amplifiers into a beneficial outcome by using the reactive combiner's impedance mismatch特性 to reject noise signals. The same reactive structure that provides mechanical ruggedness and broadband operation also selectively combines signals while rejecting noise, thereby improving the overall signal-to-noise ratio despite the presence of noisy amplifiers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves efficient power combination of signals with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced noise figure, while being more cost-effective and less complex to manufacture compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
nested unit element coaxial transmission lines
Data Source
AI summary
A power combiner/divider having a front end and a rear end and including a stepped main center conductor defining an axis and having portions with different outer diameters; an input connector having a center conductor, adapted to be coupled to a signal source, electrically coupled to the main conductor and having an axis aligned with the main conductor axis; a plurality of output connectors having respective axes that are perpendicular to the main conductor axis, the output connectors being radially spaced apart relative to the main conductor, the output connectors having center conductors; a plurality of nested cylinders proximate the front end and arranged with gaps defining at least three gaps providing coaxial transmission lines; and a plurality of nested cylinders proximate the rear end, one of which having apertures perpendicular to the main conductor axis receiving the center conductors of the output connectors, the nested cylinders proximate the rear end defining at least three gaps.